THE
DOWNTOWN VICTORIA MAGAZINE
Inside: Parking in Downtown Victoria Daily Rituals to Ground and Inspire Us Start Family Day Early with the Victoria Film Festival Explore the World of Craft Beer
2 | Downtown Victoria Magazine | Feb 8, 2017
the on-street parking lines, the map will zoom you into the streets themselves so you can conveniently see where the best parking areas are for your daily needs. This map available in both digital, and for those who need a hard copy, pdf versions on our website that you can print and carry with you as well. The digital link will live on our website, so you can access it at any time – with the legend outlining the different kinds of parking on the parking home page.
Photo: Darren Stone, Times Colonist Photographer
Catching up with Kerri Milton Last month’s, The complexities of transportation editorial launched what the DVBA is currently partnered and working on. The initial 28 action items have now grown to 31 and we are working diligently to bring some or all of the ideas to fruition. Part one was to produce an interactive map of every possible parking lot/structure and on-street parking space in the Downtown core that we will continue to update. Some of these facilities are
Most people are unaware there are 16 parkades, nine customer parking lots, more than 40 surface parking lots, and over 1,000 on-street parking spaces in or within a short walk of Downtown Victoria.
up to date on where to go and how to get there. We know how valuable your time is and we want to make it as easy as possible to continue to come downtown to work, shop and play. Our vibrant downtown economy is continuing to grow and we are here to support the businesses throughout the changes.
Most people are also unaware of the Parking is only ONE piece of our comfact Modo Co-operative is in three of our plex transportation system, but if we downtown parkades for use when you can make it one step easier to locate for sign up with their program. consumers, shop owners, commuters and residents then it is one step forward When you use our map you can click on We are continuing to work behind the in a positive and productive way. the pins to get full details, including the scenes to bring more private lots online number of spots, location and who man- as they become available and continuing Find the parking map online at downages the lot. We have also included how talks with developers for public parking townvictoria.ca/ much it costs to park in each facility as within their new buildings. well as the hours of operation where applicable and whether there is a waitlist or It is this kind of incremental change and not for monthly parking. When you click information sharing that keeps the public privately owned and some are city owned. We have broken them up by parking type and added whether they are monthly, hourly, weekly.
Around Downtown
DVBA team visits Llama Zoo on Fort Street
Nomad Footwear, a recent addition to Government Street
3 | Downtown Victoria Magazine | Feb 8, 2017
Parking in Downtown Victoria
Legend Off-Street Parking P - Customer Parking P - City Parkades P - Parkades P - Surface Lots (monthly/daily) P - Monthly Parking Only On-Street Parking - 90 minute max. $3/hr - 2 hour max. $2.50/hr
BECAUSE YOU’RE NOT A MIND READER. The Bay Centre Gift Card - Valid at over 90 Shops. Available at Guest Services.
thebaycentre.ca
4 | Downtown Victoria Magazine | Feb 8, 2017
Victoria International Airport • Peninsula Streams Society presented the Victoria Airport Authority an award recognizing their continued support of Peninsula Streams’ ongoing education and restoration activities. • In 2013, purchased a new specialized sweeper truck capable of collecting spent glycol on the main apron and initiated a glycol recycling program. • Upgraded the Spill Response Program with the addition of a specialized spill response trailer and spark-free vacuum.
Councillor Margaret Lucas City of Victoria My role as Victoria Council’s representative on the Victoria Airport Consultative Committee has provided me the opportunity to learn more and engage with the Victoria Airport Authority. The Victoria International Airport is an important contributor to Victoria’s tourism and economic activity. It has recently reported its third consecutive year of record passenger volumes. Victoria International Airport is the 10th busiest airport in Canada with over 1.85 million passengers per year. Victoria is well served with more than 100 daily flights throughout North America. The airport was rated among one of the top ten most loved airports in the world by CNN Travel and was the 2012 and 2014 winner of “Best Regional Airport in North America” by Airports Council International. The airport actively participates in the Canadian Airports Council to promote environmental stewardship across the country and has been recognized with environmental awards for the Reay Creek Remediation project that was completed in 2012.
The airport offers Electric Vehicle charging stations. Currently this allows 6 electric vehicles to be charged at any given time. Also sufficient electrical infrastructure was laid and positioned to enable future charging stations to be installed when needed.
“We have seen consistently strong growth among our domestic air carriers,” said Geoff Dickson, President and CEO of the Victoria Airport Authority (VAA). “Additionally, the new Delta Air Lines service to Seattle has increased our trans-border passenger numbers and increased capacity in the winter sunspot charter season and resulted in higher international traffic. We are encouraged by this continued positive trend that started back in November 2013. The challenge now is to continue to facilitate and enable continued growth through prudent and timely infrastructure investments. VAA plans for 2017 include expanding the lower passenger departure lounge and completing a pavement overlay of runway 14/32. This will go a long way in order to be ready to serve 2 million passengers in the coming years”.
The Airport Authority hired a Victoria sculptor, Illarion Gallant, to create a monument honouring the twenty-five local Allied airmen who gave their lives at the Patricia Bay Air Station during the Second World War. It will be located on
If you have a question to submit to Councillor Lucas, please email kerri@downtownvictoria.ca. One of your questions could be featured in an upcoming edition of the Downtown Victoria Magazine.
One of the key results from Air Transport Research Society (ATRS) 2016 global airport performance benchmarking report was that Victoria and Vancouver airports are ranked as the top most efficient airports in Canada. The airport has released its 2016 Environmental Management Plan and some of the highlights include: • Completed a 9.3 km paved, public cycle and walking trail around the airport called “The Flight Path”. • Third airport in North America to receive Airports Council International (ACI) carbon accreditation level 1. • In partnership with BC Hydro, enabled energy efficiency upgrades that have resulted in savings of over 50 tonnes of CO2e since 2013.
Hospital Hill, along Mills Road on the north side of the airport. The monument will be titled “the Lost Airmen of the Empire” and will bring awareness to the airport’s proud military history.
February 11-23, 2017 Reflections of the Salish Sea Premiere Exhibition
Heather Island III 36x84 Oil on Canvas by Naomi Cairns
West End Gallery is pleased to introduce Naomi Cairns. Naomi was born on Vancouver Island in 1984 and became interested in art at an early age. She attended Malaspina University/College in Nanaimo and L'Ecole des Beaux Arts de Lyon in France before obtaining her BFA from Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design in 2007. A recipient of many prestigious awards, Naomi counts among them the honour of being the youngest recipient of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Award, which she received in 2002. In 2011, Naomi and her husband bought a 40-foot sailboat and for the next three years sailed around the southern and northern Gulf Islands.
Stove Islet 36x80 Oil on Canvas by Naomi Cairns
Time spent on the water has influenced her most recent body of work in which she explores interactions of the sea's edge in large-scale paintings. An accomplished young artist, Naomi’s work has captured the attention of collectors from both the private and public sectors, one of her paintings is included in the permanent collection of the National War Museum in Ottawa. Gallery open daily. Head to the opening reception Saturday, February 11 with artist in attendance from 1-4pm. westendgalleryltd.com
5 | Downtown Victoria Magazine | Feb 8, 2017
Our direction? We start by listening to you Acting Chief Constable Del Manak Victoria Police Department This is an exciting time of year at VicPD as we make our final preparations to launch the 2017 VicPD Business and Community Survey Project. A joint initiative of the Victoria and Esquimalt Police Board and the Police Department, these surveys help us know how we are doing, where we can improve, and what your priorities are. The survey delivery is the first of several ways in which we will be asking for your vital Photo: Bowen Osoko, Communication input in the coming months.
VicPD Volunteers in the community. Photo: Bowen Osoko, Communication Coordinator, VicPD
After the survey period closes on February 28th, we will sit down with a series Coordinator, VicPD of focus groups to make sure we get There are two surveys: the Community This year, the surveys can be completed the widest range of feedback possible. Survey, which is delivered to randomonline or through the paper form. Each Following that, once we have the survey ly selected residences in Victoria and paper version includes a self-addressed, results, we will hold a series of converEsquimalt, and the Business Survey, stamped envelope and can be returned sation events, including one specifically which is delivered to randomly selected by mail. Our preference is that those scheduled for downtown Victoria busibusinesses in the two municipalities. You of you who respond do so through the ness owners and staff. We will have will see our Crime Watch volunteers and online option where possible. It is safe, more information on these conversations Reserves out over the coming weeks as secure and makes our analysis much in March and April and how you can get they deliver the surveys. easier. involved.
Your voice is vital in helping us shape the Victoria Police Department over the next five years. I am really looking forward to hearing from you. Updates on the survey process can be found on our website at www.vicpd.ca. Del Manak is the Acting Chief Constable for the Victoria Police Department
6 | Downtown Victoria Magazine | Feb 8, 2017
Financial Wellness of Your Employees Jonathan Do Royal Bank of Canada Businesses of various sizes are continually in a battle for talent, if you look around our very own city – you will see a number of businesses in hiring mode for the right calibre of employee to enhance their business. In a world where we continually hear about high levels of consumer debt, housing affordability and retirement savings shortfalls. It should come as no surprise that according to a 2015 PwC survey that 45% of employees said dealing with finances is stressful. In addition to this another 81% of employees have shared that they have taken time off work to deal with financial stress. The statistics might be anecdotal but the reality of the state of the Canadian household finances is a challenging situation. Business of any size would adamantly share that employee retention of top talent is a priority and offering a competitive wage, work/life balance initiatives and benefits is important to the
employee/employer deal. It is also important to consider the benefits of promoting financial wellness initiatives in the workplace to reduce productivity detriments such as attrition, absenteeism, presenteeism or low performance.
Around Downtown one consultations to help employees with navigating their finances.
Examine Your Benefits Plan: Does your benefits package offer a retirement or savings plan? How competitive is the product offering and long-term Managing Finances Takes Time: saving solutions? A benefit package is High levels of financial stress may take only as effective as those who use the an employee away from dealing with de- benefits provided. Access to advisors, mands of their jobs. Consider what effort pricing and product selection is importand energy might need to be expended ant to driving a higher level of employee juggling bills and financial commitments. engagement with your benefits package. Young people who are just starting off It might be time for a review of the efficamight take more and more time with cy of your overall benefits plan. determining their budgets and cash flow. Encouraging employees to seek Financial wellness, health and mental professional help and establish a plan wellness are all factors that we can all may help with getting them away from consider when fostering a happy and living in a cash flow short fall loop i.e. productive workplace. Retaining the paycheck to paycheck. This stress can best people may also mean taking care be distracting and lead to lack of sleep of those people and showing them the and lost focus. value that their employers place on their overall holistic wellbeing. It is likely a Encourage Financial Wellness: safe assumption that every business Check with your financial institution to wants to see a reduction in personal see if they would be willing to promote stress amongst their employees and a financial wellness campaign in your improve productivity. office. Many firms have trained profesJonathan Do is the Branch Manager at the Victoria sionals that can help facilitate lunch n’ Main Branch of RBC. jonathan.do@rbc.com learn sessions, seminars and one-on-
Thousands gathered outside City Hall to show support for the Muslim community
Lanterns hung on the Gate of Harmony in celebration of Chinese New Year
Spotlight on SDÉ: francophone economic development Traditional trades and agrifood are one of the industries targeted by SDÉ and the results are highly visible in the area. The Société de développement With the initiative Économusée® BC Aréconomique de la Colombie-Britannique tisans at Work, SDÉ has eight long-term (SDÉ) is a not-for-profit organization partnerships with artisanal businesses in established to represent the economic interests of the francophone business the region to expand their market, share community in B.C. They support busitheir passion with the public and contribness development by distributing perute to preserve our intangible heritage. tinent information, encouraging entreIn addition to the eight current regional preneurial and workforce development members of the initiative, SDÉ supports activity. many other small artisanal businesses based on their needs. SDÉ is a provincial organization. While their main office is in Vancouver, their SDÉ is also launching a new workforce Victoria branch office delivers one on development program targeted for the one business support services in the artisanal food businesses. Hands On! capital region as well as the rest of Van- Generation to Generation offers forcouver Island and the Sunshine Coast. mal training to young workers during The SDÉ also helps manage some a 20-week work placement. They are provincial projects. currently recruiting businesses and young workers to participate in the pilot
program this Spring.
Lorraine Plourde
Making strides in green economy, SDÉ administers the new green school initiative with Francophone School District 93. Locally, as part of this program, an indoor hydroponic installation was built for a Grade 10 and 11 sustainable agricultural science class.
First blooms of the season seen in Centennial Square
Tourism has always been at the core of the activities managed by SDÉ. They work closely to promote tourism businesses that provide services in French to their clients and provide these businesses with added marketing opportunities and other services. Finally, SDÉ provides support to all entrepreneurs that seek help to start or grow their business or to plan their succession. Lorraine Plourde is the Economic Development Officer for the SDÉ Victoria branch. lplourde@sdecb.com.
Fort Street Business owners meet to discus Bike Lanes
7 | Downtown Victoria Magazine | Feb 8, 2017
Density helps to drive retail!
Pop up Community Arts Council of Greater Victoria Annual Look Show at The Bay Centre. Photo by The Bay Centre
Spinco on Yates and international brands such as Johnny Rockets that will be opening at The Bay Centre in It is a very exciting time to be in Downtown Victoria. With an unprece- the spring demonstrating confidence dented amount of cranes throughout in the marketplace. Pop-up shops will continue to “pop-up” in the core. downtown and construction crews This retail strategy is the new norm feverishly working makes it feel as and as consumers we will continue to if we are at a tipping point of major enjoy the benefits of these specialized changes. shops and experiences. For local deThere are over 3,000 residential units, signers and retailers, the pop-up shop provides a venue to extend their brand either proposed, approved or under and introduce and test new products. construction, and an anticipated additional 2,000 workers coming to Downtown through new office space that will change the landscape of downtown retail over the next couple of years. Darlene Hollstein
Downtown retail vacancy rate has dropped to 5.45% (Q4 of 2016) down from 11% in 2015. In addition, the Victoria retail market feels like it has transitioned to a full 12-month season instead of just the summer months. With an influx of new consumers living, playing and visiting in the downtown core we will continue to see an increase in retail and experiential offerings to meet their needs.
Pop up Concept Tonic Jewelry and Smoking Lily Pop up Collaborative. Photo: The Bay Centre
After-hours Silversmithing Workshop at the Tonic Jewelry and Smoking Lily Pop up Collaberative Shop at The Bay Centre. Photo by The Bay Centre
marketplace, the pop-up shop creates a customized shopping experience that is nimble to consumers’ immediate needs. In the summer of 2016, the Victoria Arts Council moved their administration office into The Bay Centre. As part of their use of space, the Arts Council host monthly art shows. In March they will open a secondary pop-up art exhibit at The Bay Centre entitled “Voices of Women through Canadian History,” an exhibition celebrating International Women’s Day and local women artists. We are also seeing our arts, culture and experience scene continue to expand with the new Infusion Edutainment on Fort Street, Crag X Climbing Centre, escape room experiences and pop-up art galleries, just to name a few.
These experiences are nestled amongst a retail mix of local, regional, national and international shops, serOver the holiday season we saw vices and restaurants that round out established local designers, Honour Cienska from Tonic Jewelry and Trish the downtown experience and I look Tacoma from Smoking Lily, partner to forward to what the next entrepreneur open their Pop-up Collaborative shop creates or pop-up concept to open. On the retail front we are seeing stores such as Lush Cosmetics, who which included a working silverare relocating and opening a larger smithing studio. Whether it is an Etsy Darlene Hollstein is the General Manshop on Government Street, and member looking to test their concept ager at The Bay Centre. thebaycentre.ca new store concepts such as Autono- and turn their idea into a permanent mous Furniture Collective and Nomad business, or an established shop looking to expand their reach within the Footwear on Government Street,
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10 | Downtown Victoria Magazine | Feb 8, 2017
Improve Accessibility for Wheelchair Users in Downtown Victoria
ble. I find it difficult to have to ask people to open doors for me, as I want to be independent. For most people, it is so easy to go into a store, they just open the door and go in, but for people like me and others with mobility issues it is hard. I feel that being able to enter a store is my right and businesses without automatic doors are excluding me.
Dacian Filipescu British Columbia is proud to be an inclusive travel destination for people of all abilities. According to the B.C. official tourism website, Vancouver was named “the most accessible city in the world” years before it hosted the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, and the region’s major gateway, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is one of the most accessible airports in the world. In addition, the B.C. government started a new initiative in 2014, called Accessibility 2024, a 10-year action plan to make B.C. more accessible for people with disabilities.
Lack of accessibility is a problem for me and people using wheelchairs, and also for other people, such as elderly or parents with young children in strollers. Apart from automatic doors, there are a few other things needed for accessibility: benches and park tables, and sidewalks that are wider and less bumpy. I am glad that the City of Victoria has an AccessiDid you know that a 5-block walk in bility Working Group collaborating with downtown Victoria, B.C.’s capital city, re- chair accessible entrances. I used to live being able to play sports makes me feel Downtown Victoria Business Association vealed that only 13 out of 40 front stores in Vancouver, and while I did appreciate terrible and going for a stroll in downto make city infrastructure and facilities the accessible buildings in Vancouver, I town Victoria is one of my joys. Firstly, it more accessible for all. I hope this article on Fort Street have an automatic door, love Victoria’s smallness and that every- is something that I can do and secondly, raises awareness about the difficulties an essential feature for people using thing is within walking distance. I care I like rolling in my wheelchair through the encountered by people with disabilities wheelchairs? about the environment and going places Inner Harbour, shopping a little, chatin our city. without needing to drive. ting with people in stores, stopping in a My name is Dacian and I took this coffee shop/restaurant, or browsing toys, Dacian Filipescu 5-block walk and counted all the autoI love sports, but my condition prevents books, and comics. matic doors on my way. I am 12 and I dacianfil@gmail.com me from participating anymore. I used live with Duchene Muscular Dystrophy. to play soccer and basketball when I I find it very frustrating when I cannot I love walking in Downtown Victoria, was younger, but my physical abilities enter a store and not because I want but as my condition progresses, I find it decreased quickly with time. It is hard to buy their products, rather because I harder and harder to enter many of the for me to talk about my struggles; not think it unfair that they are not accessistores because of their lack of wheel-
A More Playful Centennial Square this Summer Victoria’s Centennial Square will look slightly different this July as it transforms into a magnetic, family-friendly space to showcase the winning design of the latest ‘Pop-Up’ Design Competition. The City of Victoria is seeking creative ideas to integrate play into Centennial Square, and invites qualified teams and individuals to submit design concepts to unleash the playful possibilities of this space this summer. The purpose of the ‘Pop-Up @ the Square’ Design Competition is to select a team to design, build and install a playful, playable feature that appeals to a wide range of ages. Participants are encouraged to explore unconventional approaches to ‘play’ that contribute to the architectural character and public realm experience in Centennial Square.
The winning team will be selected by a jury panel, and will receive a $5,000 award and up to $50,000 to design, build and install an imaginative feature in Victoria’s signature public square. There will also be an opportunity for the public to cast their vote for the People’s Choice Award, the winning team for that will receive $1,000. Submissions must be received by 4 p.m. PST on March 30. Recognizing that there are currently few opportunities for families with children living in the downtown core, the City is excited to team up with the Downtown Victoria Business Association in seeking innovative and creative solutions to integrate opportunities for play into the everyday fabric of the downtown public realm.
“We are pleased to partner with the City of Victoria on this pop-up art design competition. Centennial Square is a focal point in our Downtown core and having a fun, creative play structure is a feature that will continue to add to our Downtown vibrancy and give families a place to play as they plan their Downtown visit.” says Kerri Milton, Executive Director of the Downtown Victoria Business Association. People’s choice vote will take place in April. The winner of the design competition and people’s choice award will be announced May 2. Installation of the temporary pop-up feature will take place in early July. For more information including application details visit: victoria.ca/popupsquare
11 | Downtown Victoria Magazine | Feb 8, 2017
Daily Rituals to Ground and Inspire Us I am not talking about anything overtly spiritual or kumbaya-ish - not that there is anything wrong with that, but this article is about something else. I am talking about simple daily routines that make us feel good and keep us in check. It can actually be anything you do repetitively, like a daily habit, that is useful and positive. For myself, I love what I call “tea time” as a ritual because - other than all the amazing health benefits - it really helps me slow down. Tea time to me personally can be anything from sitting alone in a quaint cafe sipping on herbal brew for 10 minutes before a meeting, the act of brewing loose leaf tea and watching it steep to perfection, or gathering with a group of loved ones around a table brimming with healthy eats and hot tea (in England the supper version of this is known as High Tea). Even better is making time to regularly partake in the traditional Royal ritual of Afternoon Tea. Put simply, Afternoon Tea is a heavenly treat consisting of small savouries, cakes and tea to be enjoyed over good conversation. Or with a great book if you need time out just for yourself.
The idea is that in making time for these rituals, you are essentially giving your entire being to this present moment. You are surrendering your thoughts, your ego, your idea of time … your ideas in general. You are slowing down to reconnect with your inner self and to those who matter; to what matters. In doing so, everything falls in perspective, we suddenly become more grateful, more aware. Tea time rituals uplift us, making us feel good, vibrant and whole again. No matter which tea time style you choose and no matter how much time you spend doing it, I promise you will feel inspired and rejuvenated. It is like being transported to a place of calm. Suddenly, all that energy you thought was drained is regained; ready for you to get things done with a big smile. Sallie Alaily is a co-owner at Venus Sophia Tea Room & Vegetarian Eatery venussophia.com
Venus Sophia Tea Room & Vegetarian Eatery Photo by Sallie Alaily
Sallie Alaily Life can get a little hectic sometimes. It can be overwhelming - daunting even - as we scramble to get through the weekdays and on to the weekend, only to do it all over again on Monday. Exclusive dealers for Sigma, Brian May & Rolling Stone guitars. Showcase of local luthiers.
Our to-do lists keep growing, our networks are constantly expanding and both our family and work roles seem to be as demanding as ever. Then in the middle of it all, social media’s double sided sword is making it challenging to allow ourselves a chance to truly disconnect. To regain balance. To remain grounded. There is no denying it. We are busy people and it is not something that we can - or necessarily want to - change or drop. Being busy is also good for us after all; it’s like fuel, it helps us progress and prosper.
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But how can we keep up while we are so caught up in it all? I have been thinking a lot about this lately and I believe I have found a pretty good solution. It is actually something we all instinctively know but perhaps tend to forget or not pay enough attention to. That is the magic of daily rituals.
828 Fort St. 250-389-6029 Photo by Sallie Alaily
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12 | Downtown Victoria Magazine | Feb 8, 2017
Is Victoria ready for its own Fashion Week?
Oxford Clothing located at 589 Johnson St. is one such store, designing and manufacturing here in BC.
Victoria designers have been travelling to Vancouver’s Fashion Week for years. Is the Island ready for its own fashion-forward event? Joseph Gonyeau (previous owner of Free Spirit Botanicals) watched Victoria’s picturesque Lower Johnson Street transform from tourist novelty to a consumer fashion destination. Attention-grabbing brands like Lululemon brought new waves of consumers to the brightly-coloured historic buildings lining Johnson Street. Bolstered by the renewed traffic, long standing tenants (like Still Life, Hemp & Co., Baggins) upgraded and expanded; they remain open today alongside many new boutiques showcasing the best in local fashion. Victoria’s economic and artistic scenes are changing, with a billion-dollar tech industry Vancouver Island has a reputation for deeply valuing environmental bringing fresh, forward-thinking energy into responsibility. Responding to this value, and recognizing the opporthe city. The fashion scene is responding with tunity in Victoria’s historic downtown, allowed many local designers artisan-crafted, modern styles for men and to flourish. Using well-sourced fabrics and creating localized produc- women with localized sustainability in mind: lotion chains, these designers and store curators are stitching togeth- cal designers Ola Dubois and Trista Smith use er the fashion community. reclaimed textiles to create their eye-catching designs. Some designers have opened stores.
The growing trend needs some support. Fashion Week is coming this fall to Victoria, B.C. The arts community will be celebrating its launch with a special preview event at the Atrium (800 Yates St.) February 25th. Producing this first installment of Victoria Fashion Week is Producer Joseph Gonyeau along with a talented team of local entrepreneurs and creators: Khloe Campbell (Amelia Lee Boutique), Melodie Reynolds (Elate Clean Cosmetics), Christina Robev and Andrew Azzopardi (Studio Robazzo). This launch event will feature 11 local designers, 10 stylists and makeup artists, 30 models and of course many, many volunteers who will make it all come together. Victoria Fashion Week celebrates Vancouver Island’s growing fashion community. Fashion Week’s internationally recognizable name gives us the opportunity to define our style and create an artistic identity on a worldwide stage. To learn more about tickets, or to become involved, visit www.victoriafashionweek.com. Photographer: AL Smith Designer / Stylist: Teresa Lindsay Makeup: Erin Bradley, Elate Cosmetics Hair: Mandy Rogers, Hunt & Gather hair company
13 | Downtown Victoria Magazine | Feb 8, 2017
Taking your Health to Heart
The countdown is on!
Dr. Jennifer Dyck, ND
Kerri Milton
Heart disease in Canada is a major problem; every seven minutes in Canada, someone dies from heart disease or stroke, which are two of the three leading causes of death in this country. What’s more is that 9 in 10 Canadians have at least one risk factor for heart disease or stroke, which includes smoking, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes. But we are doing something right! Since 1952, the cardiovascular death rate has declined by more than 75 per cent due to several factors, from medical improvements to better prevention efforts. Here are some heart healthy habits to incorporate into your daily routine! •
Eat healthy. A diet full of fresh vegetables and fruits (at least 5 servings per day), low in saturated fats, NO trans fats, high in omega 3 oils, high in fiber (25-40 grams per day), and low in salt and sugar is one that will help prevent heart disease.
•
Maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly. Physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight and control blood pressure. It is recommended to engage in moderate-intensity exercise for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week.
•
Monitor your blood pressure. High blood pressure can have almost no symptoms; so monitoring this health parameter is a great way to keep your health in check.
•
Don’t smoke and limit alcohol use. Cigarette smoking and having more than one alcoholic drink per day if you are a woman and two if you are a man greatly increase your risk for heart disease.
•
Prevent excess stress. Chronic stress and having a Type A personality also raise your risk of heart disease and stroke. Acknowledging your stress levels and practicing positive coping techniques such as mindful mediation or exercise on a daily basis is important.
Heart Action- Supplements for a Healthy Heart One of the most clinically proven and researched supplements for promoting healthy cardiovascular function is omega 3 fatty acids found in fish oil and seed oils such as flaxseed. Omega 3s reduce blood pressure, triglyceride levels, cholesterol, platelet aggregation, arrhythmia, and arterial plaque formation. It is extremely important in people who have had a heart attack. In one study of over 11,300 heart attack patients, those who took 1000mg per day of omega 3 fatty acids had a 45% reduction in sudden cardiac death than those who did not. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an antioxidant and is active in highly energetic tissues, especially muscle, creating cellular energy. The heart is one of the most physically active organs; heart muscle pumps roughly 5 litres of blood per minute = 7200 litres per day at rest. This is a lot of action!! Although the human body can make CoQ10, this process requires at least 8 vitamins, trace minerals, and the amino acid tyrosine, making a deficiency in CoQ10 not uncommon. Supplementing with CoQ10 can raise levels to support healthy heart activity. Garlic has been used for centuries as a culinary herb, as well as for its heart-supporting properties. In people with high blood pressure, garlic can reduce systolic blood pressure by 16 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by 9.3 mm Hg compared with placebo. If you do not want everyone around you to know you have just taken a garlic supplement, look for a concentrated enteric-coated odourless garlic supplement that contains the active ingredient- allicin- in stabilized form. There are many ways you can keep your heart healthy. I hope you will share these tips with your family and friends during Heart Health Month to raise awareness about this deadly but preventable disease.
The information in this article is not a substitute for medical advice. Please seek the care of your health care practitioner when starting a supplement regimen. Dr. Jennifer Dyck, ND has a special interest in digestive health, hormone balancing, brain support, and natural pain relief. More information about Dr. Jen can be found at www. DrJenniferND.com
The Downtown Victoria Buskers Festival is now accepting artist applications for the festival from now until February 17th. If you have a talent, or know someone who does and you are looking to share it with the world, meet people, make a little money and have a great time, please go online www.downtownvictoria.ca/buskers-artists and fill out the application. The Downtown Victoria Buskers Festival will take place from July 11-16th. More information is available on Facebook at facebook.com/downtownvictoriabuskers. If you require any assistance as an artist please contact Talent Coordinator, Michele Montgomery at Michele@downtownvictoria.ca.
14 | Downtown Victoria Magazine | Feb 8, 2017
Start Family Day Early with the Victoria Film Festival
Dine Around and Stay in Town
Milestones Restaurant, one of this year’s Dine Around Restaurants. Photo by Tourism Victoria
Tourism Victoria
Jammies and Toons, a selection of shorts from the New York Children’s International Film Festival
Sarah Shams Victoria rejoices as a long weekend quickly approaches. Not only is February the month that hosts Valentine’s Day, but also the statutory holiday, Family Day. What better way to start celebrating with your family than Sunday morning cartoons in your pjs?! On Sunday, February 12th the Victoria Film Festival is hosting Jammies and Toons. Enjoy a selection of animated short films from the New York Children’s International Film Festival. The program is aimed at those aged 3-7 but is guaranteed fun for the whole family. Stories include a tree walking in boots, an octopus baking cakes, a poem about food, a grey lynx in a world of colours & much more. Jammies and Toons is not your usual visit to a movie theatre. At 11 am on February 12th families can come en masse in their favourite PJs to The Vic Theatre where we will be serving up cereal for the kids and Fernwood coffee for the grown-ups. “It is the perfect lazy Sunday,” says the Festival Programmer, Donovan Aikman, “You do not have to get the kids dressed
or feed them breakfast. Just hope that they sleep in till 10am.” Tickets for the family events are $7. Want more family fun? The film Fiddlesticks is also playing on the 12th. An updated version of Our Gang for the Internet generation. Although there will not be cereal at this screening we will not blame you if you want to stay in your pajamas. If you’re looking for something to do in between these great events stop by Play @ The Fort and try out Virtual Reality by Vic VR. We may not get snow in Victoria, but on Sunday, February 12th you can build a snow fort and have a snowball fight in virtual reality. And unlike a flight to Whistler this snowball fight will not cost you a thing. For more information about the Victoria Film Festival, visit www.victoriafilmfestival.com. Sarah Shams is the Communications and Events Coordinator for the Victoria Film Festival.
In a city renowned for its culinary scene, your best chance to taste from the myriad of amazing menus happens during Dine Around and Stay in Town. This year, the event kicks off with its biggest-ever gala, with 60 restaurants, more than 20 VQA wineries and many of B.C.’s finest craft breweries serving up samples of their most popular items. The gala launch — which runs from 5 to 7:30 p.m., on Feb. 16 at the Victoria Conference Centre — is the start of more than two weeks of great deals. Restaurants will offer three-course menus priced at $20, $30, $40 or $50 per person. As well, during the event, many Victoria hotels are providing accommodations at rates ranging from $89 to $169. There’s no better time to try a new restaurant or new dish, or revisit old favourites. “Held every February after Valentine’s Day, Dine Around and Stay in Town has become a culinary fixture on Victoria’s food landscape,” says Peter DeBruyn, chair of the B.C. Restaurant and Foodservices Association’s Victoria branch. “For a sneak peek at this year’s offerings, join us at the gala launch party to meet the chefs, sample their food and enjoy the VQA wines and local craft beers.” DeBruyn says those lucky enough to get tickets to the gala will be able to meet Victoria’s top chefs and learn what inspires them to create unforgettable dishes. Another twist to this year’s gala is that net proceeds will go to two charities: • The B.C. Hospitality Foundation provides financial support for people within the hospitality community coping with a medical condition or injury. • The Breakfast Club of Canada aims to make sure every child in the country has access to healthy food. Tickets for the gala are on sale now at Tourism Victoria’s Visitor Centre, located at 812 Wharf St., or online through Ticketrocket.co.
15 | Downtown Victoria Magazine | Feb 8, 2017
Photos from Victoria Beer Week
Explore the World of Craft Beer
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Joe Wiebe, the Thirsty Writer Craft beer has exploded in popularity over the past several years. Maybe you are interested in learning more about it, but you are unsure where to start. Here are some pointers. First of all, do not worry: after all, it is just beer! Craft beer is accessible and relatively inexpensive. Do you usually drink mainstream lagers? Then try Phillips Pilsner. Or maybe step it up to a notch to Hoyne’s Helios Dortmunder Lager, which is a little stronger and darker. Another step further would be a dark lager like Creepy Uncle Dunkel from the Moon Under Water or Vancouver Island Brewery’s Hermann’s Dark Lager. Speaking of dark beers, perhaps you are a fan of Guinness. Lots of craft breweries brew stouts and porters. Some also add chocolate or coffee, or age them in bourbon barrels, giving them an oaky, vanilla character.
Today’s IPAs are not as bitter as some people expect. Newer strains of hops have citrusy, tropical flavours, and brewers have devised specialized methods such as “dry-hopping” to extract even more flavour and aroma from the hops. Fat Tug IPA, brewed right here in Victoria by Driftwood Brewery, is a fine example of the style. Skeptical about sour beers? Try Nectarous from Four Winds Brewing over in Delta. Winner of Beer of the Year at last year’s Canadian Brewing Awards, it is a delicious, tart and slightly sweet beer with amazing tropical fruit flavours. Contemporary craft beer culture has shifted from quantity to quality. Spots like the Drake Eatery, Garrick’s Head Pub and the Churchill allow you to pick a flight of four small glasses so you can taste your way through a range of styles. Their knowledgeable staff can help you pick beers that
suit your tastes. Order a little plate of charcuterie to nibble while you taste and talk about the beers, and then maybe try a second flight of four. All in all, you will have tasted eight beers, but consumed less than two pints in total. And during Victoria Beer Week (March 3-11), there are lots of different opportunities to explore craft beer, including several events at the Victoria Public Market. Many of the daily events involve food: pizza, cheese, tacos, and fish/seafood. There are two Friday Cask Nights, a sour beer event called Pucker Up, and a barrel-aged beer event called All About the Wood. In other words there’s something for everybody. Check out www.victoriabeerweek. com for more information. Joe Wiebe is the Co-Founder/Co-Producer of Victoria Beer Week and the BC Ale Trail and Author of Craft Beer Revolution: The Insider’s Guide to B.C. Breweries
Our editorial philosophy is based on a love of all things downtown with varying perspectives. We’re looking for writers to tell their downtown stories. If you are interested, please reach out to us at kristy@downtownvictoria.ca
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